Punch apparatus



Sept. 13, 1949. H. SEMLER 2,481,883

PUNCH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1947 14 2 f8 f7 24 /Z 4 Patented Sept. 13, 1949 PUNCH APPARATUS Loren H. Semler, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Metal Specialties Manufacturing 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 24, 1947, Serial No. 775,901

Claims. 1

This invention relates to punch apparatus. The invention is particularly useful as a punch for paper and especially sheets for looseleaf notebooks, etc.

An object of the invention is to provide a punch structure of novel design providing extreme accuracy in adjustment and which is highly effective in the punching of sheets and the like. A further object is to provide a structure in which a cover for the punch is utilized in providing a rocker rib simultaneously actuating the punch plungers. Yet another object is to provide a punch structure in which separate punch frames are releasably mounted therein in alignment with Vertical and horizontal grooves for purposes hereinafter set forth. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a single embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a punch structure embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a top plan View; Fig. 3, a front view in elevation; and Fig. 4, a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale.

In the illustration given in designates a punch casing having the cross-sectional shape illustrated best in Fig. 4. The casing provides a vertical backstrip II having spaced horizontal slots [2 therein. The casing is provided with downwardly struck channels or ribs [3 and Hi and between the ribs extends a relatively flat raised web l5. The web i5 is provided with spaced slots I6. At its forward end, the casin l 0 is provided with a downwardly inclined wall H which extends to a point in line with the bottom of the ribs 93 and I 4. The downwardly inclined wall !'I carries a scale 18, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 3.

The rear wall I'! of casing H] is provided with rearwardly and upwardly extending ears l9 having slots therein. The slots 20 of ears I9 receive the metal loops 2| carried by the cover member 22 and thus the loops and ears provide hinges for pivotally supporting the cover 22 upon the easing Hi.

The cover 22 is made of sheet metal and is provided with at least one longitudinal rib 23 aligned for cooperation with the punch plunger below. The cover 22 extends forwardly over the punches and over the casing Ill thus providing protection for the structure below while at the same time providing a means for actuating the individual punches as will be hereinafter described.

Mounted over each of the horizontal slots [6 is a punch frame 24. The punch frame is formed by metal strip bent upon itself, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. The upper portion of the structure is in substantially the shape of a rectangle, the leg on one side bein extended below to form a base 25. The platform or base 25 extends between the rear wall I I and engages the raised forward wall 25 adjacent the inclined ed e [1, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. The top wall of the member 24 is provided with a reduced opening 21 while the remaining two walls there below are provided with the openings '28 and 29. A plunger is adapted to extend through the openings 28 and 29 and is provided at its top with a reduced extension 3! extending through the opening 21. The top of extension Si is provided with a button 32 secured to the extension 3! by the rounded rivet head 33. The rounded rivet head 33 engages the longitudinal rib 23 of the cover 22 so as to provide a rocker contact therewith. The openin 28 in the base 25 of member 24 is aligned with the longitudinal opening it in the lower frame wall l5, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. The depending ribs [3 and !4 provide a chamber below the platen IE to receive segments struck out from paper, etc., by the punch plunger 39.

Each of the punch frames 29 is provided with a threaded aperture at its rear to receive a screw 34 carried by the knurled head 35. The knurled head 35 may be provided with a cross-slot 35 to receive the edge of a screwdriver.

Operation In the operation of the device, the individual punch frames 24 are adjusted with respect to the scale l8 so that they are exactly at the right distance for the punching of holes in the paper. Tightening of the screw heads 35 is then effected by a screwdriver or by turning the head with ones fingers and in this way the punches '24 are securely locked in the selected position. Paper may be pushed forwardly and is guided by the inclined surface I! onto the base 25 of the punch frame 24. One edge of the paper is brought against a stop 31 at one end of the punch so that the paper is properly aligned. It will be understood that the stop 31 may be made adjustable for extension to any desired distance beyond the frame wall 15. During the preliminary operation described, the cover 22 is preferably swung to a rear position so as to entirely expose the punches and the forward edge portion of the apparatus. To punch the paper, the cover 22 is drawn forwardly and downwardly, providing leverage by which each of the plungers 30 is caused to pass through the paper below. In the downward movement of the cover 22, the rib 23 thereof rocks upon the top of the plunger 30 so that a smooth operation occurs, the

rib serving also as a means for Strengthening the sheet metal cover at the point of strain over each of the plungers. Additional longitudinal ribs may be provided if desired to strengthen and stiffen the cover.

A spring 38 extends between each of the plunger heads 32 and the top wall of thepunch frame 2d and urges the plunger upwardly against the cover, maintaining the cover normally in the slightly tilted position illustrated in Fig. 4.

Each of the frame members 23 is rigidly held in the position illustrated in Fig. 4. The screw clamp 34 draws the rear wall of theframe 24 against the wall Ii of the frame and the lower base wall 24 is confined between the forward shoulder 26 of the front edge I! and the rear wall ll.

When it is desired to change the spacing, the knurled head 35 ma be rotated preferably by a screwdriver to release the frame 24 for sliding movement. The frame 2 3: is then moved later ally so as to bring a marker line on the front thereof into alignment with a selected line on the scale. The head 35 may then be turned in the opposite direction to lock the punch frame securely in position, as already described.

In the illustration given, the cover 22 is provided with a forwardly extending central portion so as to enable the operator to center the pressure applied to the cover and also to provide greater leverage. at such central portion.

The punching operation is extremely smooth and. even, the rounded rib 23 of the cover providing. a rocking engagement with the plunger which moves in a straight vertical direction.

Theribs l3 and I4 not only strengthen the bottom wall,flbut also provide a clearance for the paper punchings. The cover 22'ab0ve the casing Ill is pivoted uponhinges not only for the purposeofactuating the plungers but also for. pro viding an opening to gain access to the punches. The threaded locking members 36 may be manipulated'very, quickly for the removing of the separate punch frames 24, the slotv 35 being large enough to. be operated by a coin in lieu of a screw driver. Nine punches have been used successfully in a single apparatus and it will be understood that the number may be varied as desired.

For repair or replacement, any one of the punch frames can be quickly removed. The insertion of' a repaired or ne punch can be accomplished in a few'moments' and the punch is again-ready for operation.

While in the foregoing specification, I have set forth one embodiment of the invention in considerable detail for-the purpose of illustrating theinvention, it will be understood that such details of structure may be varied widely b those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit'of my invention.

I'claim:

1. Ina punch structure of the character set forth, a frame; punch'plungersmounted for V67? tical reciprocation in said frame, springs urging. said plungers toward elevated position. and a frame Cover pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to engage the upper ends of said. plungers, cover being provided with a longitudinal channel providing rounded bottom bearings adapted to rock upon the upper end'poir tions: ofsaid plungers.

2. Ina punch structure of the character set forth, a main frame providing a vertical rear wall, a horizontal bottom wall, and a' slightly elevatedrfrontwall having an outer and downwardly inclined edge, said bottom wall and said vertical wall being provided with elongated slots, a plurality of punch frames having base walls snugly received between said rear Wall and said forward shoulder, said punch frame also having a pair of spaced walls apertured to receive a plungerand said base wall being also apertured in alignment with the aperturesin said bottom wall of the main frame, punch plungers within said recesses of the punch frame, spring means normally urging said plungers upwardly, said punchframes also having tapped openings in the rear walls thereof, threaded means extending through the slots of the main frame wall and engaging said tapped openings of the punch frames to lock said frames in position, and a cover pivotally mounted upon the rear wall of said frame and adapted to be lowered to engage simultaneously all of said plungers.

3. In punch structure of the character set forth, a main frame providing a vertical rear wall, a horizontal bottom wall, and a slightly elevated front wall having an outer and downwardly inclined edge, said bottom wall and said vertical wallbeing provided with elongated slots, a plurality of punch frames having base walls snugly received between said rear wall and said forward shoulder, said punch'f'rame also having a pair of spaced walls apertured to receive a plunger and said base wall being also apertured in alignment with the apertures in said bottom wall of the main frame, punch'plungers within said recesses of the punch frame, spring means normally urging said plungers upwardly, said punch frames also having tapped openings in the rear walls thereof, threaded means extending through the slots of the main frame wall and engaging said tapped openings of the punch frames to lock said frames in position, and a cover pivotally mounted upon the rear wall of said frame and adapted to be lowered to engage simultaneously all of said plungers, said cover being provided with-at least one longitudinalchannel'providing rounded bottom bearings adapted to rock upon the upper ends of said plungers upon swinging movement of 'said cover.

4. In a punch structure of'the character set forth, a main casing providing a vertical rear wall, a horizontal bottom wall and a downwardly inclined front edge wall, said bottom wall'of the casing being pressed downwardly to provide depending legs for supporting the bottom wall above the surfaceupon which the apparatus rests, said bottom wall and said rear wall being provided with elongated slots, said rear wall being also provided with rearwardly and upwardly extending ears having slots therein, a cover having metal loops engaging the slots of said ears, a scale carried by the forward edge of said main casing, a plurality of punch frames slidably mounted on said bottom wall of the main frame and alignable with points on said scale, said frame having vertical slots extending therethrough, in alignment with the bottom slots of said main frame, plungers mounted for reciprocation in the openings of said punch frames, springs normally urging said'plungers toward elevated position where they are'adapted to engage said cover, said punch frames having threaded recesses in the rear wall thereof, and threaded bolt members extending through th'e'slots in the'rea'r'wall' of said frame and threadedly engaging the recesses of said punch frames to lock said punch frames in the selected position.

5; In apunch structure of the character set forth, a main casing providing a vertical rear wall, a horizontal bottom wall and a downwardly inclined front edge Wall, said bottom wall of the casing being pressed downwardly to provide depending legs for supporting the bottom wall above the surface upon which the apparatus rests, said bottom wall and said rear wall being provided with elongated slots, said rear Wall being also provided with rearwardly and upwardly extending ears having slots therein, a cover having metal loops engaging the slots of said ears, a scale carried by the forward edge of said main casing, a plurality of punch frames slidably mounted on said bottom wall of the main frame and alignable with points on said scale, said frame having vertical slots extending therethrough in alignment with the bottom slots of said main frame, plungers mounted for reciprocation in the openings of said punch frames, springs normally urging said plungers toward elevated position where they are adapted to engage said cover, said punch frames having threaded recesses in the rear wall thereof,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,244,320 Unger June 3, 1941 2,338,940 Honig Jan. 11, 1944 2,368,790 Unger Feb. 6, 1945 

